CRIME WATCH

LA JOLLA – A thief walked off with a $3,900 dolphin sculpture from Wyland Gallery last night, San Diego police said.

A stocky man with spiked red hair walked into the Prospect Avenue gallery about 8:30 p.m., picked up the 12-inch sculpture and pushed an employee out of his way as he left, said police Sgt. Reynald Armstrong.

The thief reportedly dropped the sculpture into a canvas bag, then got away in a dark sport utility vehicle.

Artist Carl Wyland specializes in marine life paintings and sculptures and whale murals.

– Pauline Repard

Auto theft suspect held after chase

NATIONAL CITY – An auto theft suspect was arrested after leading police on a chase over several freeways from City Heights to National City yesterday.

The chase began after San Diego police Officer Sylina Williams saw a blue 1994 Saturn on Orange Avenue without a front license plate about 8:30 a.m. When she tried to stop the car, the driver sped off, San Diego police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

Police chased the car to Interstate 15, I-805 and I-5 before the driver crashed into a truck on a freeway ramp to Civic Center Drive in National City about 8:50 a.m.

The driver ran off and was caught by a National City police officer. The car had been stolen in the San Diego area. The driver, a 40-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of auto theft and evading arrest. A woman driving the truck struck by the suspect was treated for minor injuries.